Road to California Quilt Show

I was lucky enough to help my friends Bruce and Diane Magidson in their booth at Road to California in January. They started their business, Sew Batik, about the same time we started. So we have traveled to the same shows for years. I LOVE their fabric. It was always torture for me when our booths were across from each other at a show because I'd want to buy "one of each". I even used their fabrics in the Chevron Charm Table Runner I made for our booth. So when they asked for my help at the show I jumped at the chance.

Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous fabric for three full days?! The fabrics behind me in the picture are their Wide Backs. These are the perfect size for large quilts so you don't need to piece the back. What a great idea. I'm wearing the jacket I made from one of the Rayon Batiks that I bought last year at the show. You can read about the jacket in this Blog Post.

If you have never attended Road to California it should be on your Quilt Show Bucket List. It is one of the largest quilt shows in Western US and in the country. They use up every square foot of the Ontario Convention Center. There are incredible quilts on display as well as a wide variety of classes to attend and of course LOTS of opportunities to shop.

It is also a very busy show for the vendors. As a result at a show like that usually there isn't much opportunity to leave the booth to look at the quilts. Which is exactly what happened in my case. But here is a link to the award winning quilts on the show website. The Best of Show Quilt was a Whole Cloth Quilt. It is the first time ever that a quilt like that won Best of Show. The quilt is called "Vivaldi by Moonlight." Here's a picture of the quilt.

All weekend as I was surrounded by beautiful fabrics and was looking at everything that people bought, I found some things that I just had to take home with me. Here are the additions to my Stash from the show. I'm proud to say that I have either started or completed two of the three projects. I think that's a new record for me.

I used these to make a Birthday Banner for my granddaughter Elsie's First Birthday. You can read about that in this Blog Post . Here's a picture of the finished product.

I also bought this fabric and pattern.

The fabric is a Rayon Batik. I love how the jacket I made turned out so I had to buy more for another project. It drapes so nicely and is so figure flattering. I have the dress finished except for the hem. Here's a picture of it just before I sewed the side seams.

The last thing I bought was the Honey Bun Pouf pattern and some fabric for that. The sample was in perfect view of the cash register where I was working all weekend. The fabric reminds me of water, and bubbles. Since we live at the beach and the fabric coordinates with our color scheme I thought it would be fun to have a couple of these for the grandchildren to sit on when they come to visit. I have to buy some canvas fabric so I haven't started on this one yet but it is in the queue.

I had a great time. It was fun to spend the weekend with Bruce and Diane. I saw so many of our customers and vendor friends. That is one thing I really miss about being off the road. We made many good friends over the course of those 10 years.

Happy Quilting,

Carol

Elsie's Birthday Banner

When  my first granddaughter, Tristyn was about to turn 1 I made a Birthday Banner for her. I attached Velcro to the two pennants in the middle and made numbers and st, nd, rd, th to put after them. So each year she can put the appropriate numbers and letters on there to customize the banner. The way I did the numbers I think she can use it until she's 98 years old.

I decided that this would be a great tradition for all of my grandchildren. It is a fast and easy project and one that I hope they will want to use for many, many years to come. With the birth of three babies last year I have multiple banners to make. Little Elsie is the first of them to celebrate this precious milestone.

I purchased the fabrics when I was working in the Sew Batik Booth at Road to California Quilt Show in January. The pattern is Celebration by CW Design Co.

I started by cutting the yellow dot fabric into 3 strips that were 10 1/2" by the Width of the Fabric. This is what I used for the pennants. I placed the template onto the fabric and made the first cut which also cut off the selvages. 

Then I lined up the template on the opposite side. Sometimes I could line it up perfectly and only had to cut one side. Other times it looked like this where I had to cut both sides. It just depended on which side I cut from first if I cut both sides or how much I over cut at the point.

I alternated like this until I cut all of the pennants. I chose to use the same fabric on the front and back so I cut a total of 28. I really only needed 27 because I used Blackboard Fabric for the space. Since the fabric was folded in half it was just easier to do the extra one. The Blackboard Fabric was much easier and will look way better than the Velcro method I used for Tristyn's. I may actually ask her if she wants me to swap those pennants out for Blackboard Fabric on hers.

I traced the letters onto fusible web. I like Steam a Seam2 Lite. It isn't as stiff as Heat and Bond and Wonder Under.

I used the turquoise fabric for the letters. I cut a piece of the fabric roughly the same size as the traced letters. I peeled the paper off of the fusible web and placed the sticky side of it onto the fabric. Since I was working with a batik I didn't have to worry about right and wrong sides. If I was using a different type of fabric, I'd want to make sure that I put the letters onto the wrong side of the fabric.

 Then it was time to cut out all of the letters.

I fused them onto the yellow fabric with the dots. I needed to make sure that I had enough clearance at the top so that the fabric that will string the letters together wouldn't cover up the letters. There also had to be enough room on the sides so that when it came time to pink the edges I wouldn't cut off the letters. I did a rough measurement of where the start of the small letters like a, i and r would start. Then I applied that measurement to things like the hump part of the h, b and d so all of the letters would be in approximately the same part of each pennant. I played around with positioning of the letters too. This is what I came up with.

I decided to use a Satin Stitch to stitch around the letters. Normally my choice of stitch for a fusible applique project is a Blanket Stitch. For this one I wanted to use a contrasting thread and I wanted it to define the letters. I experimented with several different stitch lengths and widths until I settled on .4 and 2.0.

If you just stitch onto the fabric at this point it is going to pucker. So I needed a stabilizer behind the fabric. Several years ago I learned that a really good and very inexpensive stabilizer for machine applique is sheets of Smart & Final Sandwich Wrap. It is a thin paper that peels off really easily when you're done. Depending on how much of this kind of work you do, one package could be a lifetime supply.

I determined that I needed 5" squares. I was able to get 4 from a single sheet so I cut 7 sheets into 5" squares.

I pinned them to the back of each pennant making sure that the letters were completely covered from the back. I tried to place the pins far enough from the letters so that they wouldn't be in the way as I stitched around the letter.

One thing I discovered as I was doing the stitching is that it was important to let the machine do the work. I just guided the fabric, especially around the curves. If I tried to feed the fabric through the machine the stitches were uneven.This is what the letter looks like after I stitched around it.

After I finished all of the letters I put the backing fabric behind each letter and behind the Blackboard Fabric pennant. I put the letter fabric piece on top and started in the top right hand corner of each pennant piece and stitched 1/4" around both sides. It wasn't necessary to stitch across the top because the "binding" goes there. Once I had stitched around all of the pieces I used a pair of pinking shears to cut close to the stitching. I chose this method rather than a pinking blade in  my rotary cutter because there were some places where the letters were so close to the stitching line that I didn't want to accidentally cut part of a letter.

The pattern calls for a package of  Wrights Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape (1/2"). I opted to make my own. Since the banner is going to curve you really need the bias tape or bias strips at the top. If you want to know how to quickly and easily Cut Long Bias Strips you can read this earlier Blog Post. As I was working on the pennants I thought about what color I wanted here. Since it's for a girl I wanted to use either pink or purple. There is a lot of bright pink in the fabric but also a hint of purple. So I auditioned both colors. Even though the pink made the pink dots pop I liked the purple better. It went better with the turquoise letters.

 

You can view this Blog Post to see how to Make Your Own Double Fold Bias Tape. Here is my finished "Bias Tape." It will get attached to the top of the pennants.

I opened the strips at the ends and cut them so they were straight. I folded them under 1/4" and refolded the strip. That will give me clean, finished ends. I left 20" tales on both ends. It is definitely necessary to pin this in place. Normally I pin perpendicular to the sewing machine needle.  Bias strips means that the fabric has a tendancy to move more than a straight of grain strip would so in this case I opted to pin in the same direction as the needle. I really wanted things to stay in place.It just meant that when I sewed the strips I had to go slowly.

It is necessary to prime the Blackboard fabric. This is done by running a piece of chalk in both directions to cover the entire piece of fabric. Then you wipe it off and do the same thing again. Once this was done I wrote 1st on it so the Birthday Banner says "Happy 1st Birthday." Here it is hanging between two trees in the park across the street from my house.

My hope is that hanging it will be a birthday tradition for Elsie as she grows up. She may or may not think it's "cool" when she's a teenager. But sometimes traditions hold strong. Who knows? Maybe it will be important to her and she'll still want to hang it up when she's 50; I hope so.

Happy Sewing and Crafting,
Carol

Make Your Own Double Fold Bias Tape

I'm working on a pennant banner from the pattern Celebration.

It calls for a package of Wrights Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape (1/2") . I decided that I wanted to use a fabric to coordinate with the project instead so I made my own. Here's how I did it.

I cut 1 3/4" wide strips of fabric into long bias strips. I was working with about 1/4 yard of fabric so for my particular banner I needed 5 strips of fabric. If you need help with this you can read this earlier Blog Post on how to cut long bias strips with straight cuts rather than cutting them on a 45 degree angle. Basically you fold the fabric on the bias and cut. It is a super easy way to make bias strips and works with any fabric, any length and any width.

I used the From Marti Michell Corner Trimmer to take off the points from each end. This is definitely one of my Must Have tools. It makes a task like this so much easier.

Now with the points trimmed off you can see how easy it is to line up the strips. You are lining up a straight side to a straight side - piece of cake.

I used a 1/4" seam allowance and pressed the seams open.

Next I folded the strip in half lengthwise. I know that the photo looks like the strip isn't the same width, but it is. Sorry about that. If you look closely you can see the fold line along the length.

Next I folded and pressed the top of the strip so that it lined up with the center fold. Since the fabric is on the bias the strip looks curved but it is straight. It's just the camera angle and the way I had it positioned for the picture.

Then I folded the bottom of the strip to the center. Both raw edges meet at the center. It is important that they meet and don't overlap.

The last step is to fold it again along that center line. You end up with a long piece of double folded "bias tape."

I like the flexibility of being able to use fabrics that compliment my project rather than stock, boring bias tape that you would buy in the fabric store.

As soon as I have given away the project I was working on, there will be a link to that blog post.

Happy Sewing,

Carol

A Little Somethin' Jacket

It has been awhile since I've made a garment for myself. I used to make all of my clothes. I made a few dresses for my daughters when they were growing up as well as lots of Halloween costumes. I think the last garment I made was an Elmo outfit for my granddaughter's Second Birthday. You can see that in this Blog Post.

I bought this pattern and fabric from Sew Batik almost a year ago. I am going to be helping them in their booth at Road to California later this week so I decided that it would be fun to wear this jacket at the show.

I have a very small studio now so the long piece of fabric didn't fit on what I'm currently using for a cutting table.

I chose this fabric because with all the colors it should go with just about anything. It is a rayon batik so it drapes well, making it the perfect fabric for a lightweight jacket.

The pattern only has three pieces so it wasn't too complicated to put together.

Jacket Front

Jacket Back

Jacket Sleeves

I cut all of the pieces out and marked all of the "Dots" for matching. I used a white Quilter's Choice Marking Pencil because it showed up with all that color. 

Next it was time to choose the thread. When I piece my quilts I usually use a neutral thread but with garments it should be something that blends. I have quite a thread stash so there were lots of choices. I ended up choosing this variegated thread from Superior Threads. When I looked at the spool I thought it would be too dark. But when I pulled out the thread and put it on top of the fabric, it was perfect.

Then I started putting the jacket together. I liked how the instructions have you press the fold line in for the facing now. That made things much easier later. The shoulder seams were easy. I forgot how big a 5/8" seam allowance is. When you're used to 1/4" in quilting that is a HUGE seam. I remember when I started quilting how SMALL 1/4" seemed. Funny how our perspective changes. 

Next was the sleeves. I discovered as I matched the dots and seams that there was too much fabric to ease into the opening for my taste. I thought it would be hard to get it even. I decided to run a 3/8" basting stitch on the sleeves. I was then able to slightly gather the sleeve to fit it into the opening. After I put it into the jacket and sewed the seams, it doesn't look gathered, just eased in which is what I wanted to accomplish.  Here's the jacket with the sleeves.

The facing and hem came next. I turned all of that under 1/4". Then I turned under the hem. Now is when the pressed fold line for the facing comes into place. I just folded that and it was ready to topstitch. I used LOTS of pins to keep everything in place. The only problem that I ran into was that I didn't like the way the instructions said to topstitch everything. I followed the directions and wasn't happy with how it lined up with the turned under edges. It wasn't close enough to the turned under 1/4". I was afraid that over time it would ravel. So I ripped out the whole thing and did it from the wrong side. I know that the "sewing police" say not to do this because bobbin tension is looser, but I opted for this because I could see where the stitching should be. I break the "quilt police" rules often so why not this one too?

All that was left was the hem on the sleeves. That was super simple. Just turn under 1/4" and then another 1". Topstitch that too. I did  the same thing here. I stitched if from the wrong side. Here's the finished product.

I think it will be cute with jeans but can also be dressy if I need it to be. Since it is a batik, if I want to roll up the sleeves a little bit it won't be that noticeable. 

Happy Sewing,

Carol

Table Runners Galore

No matter how hard I tried to make my new studio space organized in our move in September, it just didn't work according to plan. My room ended up being the, dare I say it, dump everything in there and close the door room during the holidays. It's too embarrassing to post pictures although maybe a Before and After would be impressive (when the After is actually accomplished). Now that I have packed up everything from Christmas, it is time to clean things up in there so I can get back to work.

I just decided to take things one box or pile at a time. The first box I came to had some small quilts and table runners. When I worked in a quilt shop I taught a lot of classes. The classes that tended to do well were table runners. Students can complete most, if not all, of the top in an all day class. I never really used them on tables. Most of them hung in our booth at shows off and on over the years.

One of my favorite patterns was called Four Seasons Table Runners by Black Cat Creations. This is the Spring Table Runner. I colored the flowers and leaves with crayons and then hand embroidered around them. I used a heavy weight thread in the bobbin and did  bobbin work flowers on the two ends.

This is one of my favorites because I love blue and yellow together. This is the Summer design. The flowers are fusible applique. I just meander quilted the whole thing.

My favorite season is Fall. It was always my favorite season when we lived in the East. So this table runner with Fall leaves is special to me. I did free motion zigzag stitches around the fused leaves. It gives them a more realistic look because leaves really aren't very smoothe around the edges. I quilted this one with lines and loops. I wanted to create movement so it looks like the leaves are blowing in the wind.

This is the Christmas design. I like the crisp white background in contrast to the reds and greens. I did an allover free motion quilting design with small holly leaves.

The last one I found is called Stars and Bars. It was in an Eleanor Burns book. I have to admit it isn't my best binding job. I'm not sure what was going on when I bound this one. Part of me wants to rip it out and do it all over but that isn't going to happen. It is what it is.

There may be more in another box somewhere. I made others and donated them to auctions as fundraisers and I sold a couple as well. So I can't remember if this is all I have left.

Here's my question. Now that I have a home that I'm starting all over again in, do I put these out even though they don't go with the decor? I'm planning to have a table that I rotate different holiday decorations on so I'm thinking of putting them on that table throughout the year. Do you make your table runners to match your decor or do you do them for holidays and occassions in seasonal colors? I'd love to know what you think.

Happy Quilting,

Carol

My First Rag Quilt

I know these have been around FOREVER but I've never had much of a flannel stash. The first flannel quilt I ever made was a pieced project and the flannel was so squirrelly I didn't want to attempt another.

However, I have some flannel that I bought for something else and wanted to use it up. So I decided that making a couple rag quilts would be a good way to do that.

I decided on 6 1/2" squares. I'm planning to do 10 blocks x 10 blocks so that's 100 squares just for the top, 200 including the back and 100 more of batting. Yikes! That's a lot of squares and I am planning to do 2 with more or less the same fabrics so double that. The squares will be the same but I'll use different fabrics for the backings.

Thank goodness for my QuiltCut2 Fabric Cutting System!

I cut all of the fabric squares (400) in 3 hours. I used some scraps of batting and then full size pieces which I folded in half and then in half again. I cut 100 of these squares in less than an hour. Then I ran out of batting.

Here are the fabric squares for both quilts.

These are the squares for the first quilt. The Monkey Fabric is going to be the backing.

I decided to do a little quilting in each square before I put it together. I chose a variegated thread that will go with all of the fabrics in the quilt for the top and a bright pink for the back which goes perfectly with the little monkey print.

I quilted a simple X through all of the Monkey squares. That's as far as I've gotten so far. Stay tuned to watch the progress of this project.

Happy Quilting,

Carol